Ethical Perspective for the Debate of Human Cadaver Use vs. Simulations for Anatomy Training

Cadavers are corpses intended for medical dissection and observation. They offer the opportunity to research the anatomy of the human body. The historical use of cadavers has been scrutinized in regard to the legality of obtaining cadavers as well as ethical treatment of bodies. Today, technology provides the opportunity to perform virtual dissections. Such simulations could replace human cadavers and avert ethical concerns; however, studies suggest that the efficacy of simulations varies in comparison to cadavers, which provide the benefit of tactile learning. This justification for cadaver usage will provide the ethical framework for this practice and its future implementation